Mayor Brandon Johnson Champions Vision for Climate Action and Environmental Justice
Mayor Brandon Johnson of Chicago was welcomed by the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative as they celebrated their 20th anniversary Annual General Meeting. During this meeting, Mayor Johnson took the opportunity to reiterate his vision for climate action and environmental justice. “Climate action and environmental justice are top priorities for my administration, and we will address them with equal vigor,” said Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. “Whether reducing greenhouse gas emissions or removing lead pipes for safe drinking water, we must ensure that every Chicagoan – especially those suffering from decades of disinvestment and neglect – benefits from our efforts to prepare for climate change...
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Gary Charles and His Mission to Advance Blacks in Sports
When Gary Charles learned of George Floyd's murder on a Minneapolis street over a year ago, his reaction reflected what many of us felt. "I was disgusted," said Charles. He said that Floyd's case reminded him of the 1991 incident where four police officers beat Rodney King, an infamous event captured on videotape that sparked the Los Angeles riots. "It broke me to a certain degree, and I said, 'Wow. When are we going to stand up? How long do we allow this to continue?'" Floyd's death compelled him to take action in the one area he devoted his life to — sports, especially college basketball. ...
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Spelman Commencement: Nikole Hannah-Jones Urges Graduates To ‘Control Your Own Excellence’
Nikole Hannah-Jones served as the keynote speaker for Spelman College's 2023 Commencement ceremonies. The Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of the "1619 Project" provided the 423 degree candidates with words of inspiration as they set out on their next chapters in life. Hannah-Jones began by sharing stories of her humble upbringing and how she beat the odds to gain success as a journalist and author. "I didn't come from Black people who have much formal education outside of high school," Hannah-Jones said. "Our migration from Mississippi to the North was an agrarian migration. My grandmother was born into a sharecropping family in Greenwood. She had a fourth grade...
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Who’s Who In Black Cleveland Returns Welcoming Medical Director of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity, Dr. Charles Modlin as its Foreword Writer for the 15th edition of Who’s Who In Cleveland
CLEVELAND -- Who’s Who In Black Cleveland will return after a hiatus due to the pandemic with its 15th edition. For 20 years, Who’s Who In Black Cleveland has celebrated the excellence of African American industry professionals within the Cleveland community. The brand welcomes Dr. Charles Modlin as its foreword writer for the upcoming edition. As the Medical Director of Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity at MetroHealth, Dr. Charles Modlin is known for his thought leadership, perspective, and vision on dimensional matters of diversity through the lens of a clinician. “I am so excited about the return of Who’s Who In Black Cleveland,” shares Modlin. “I am...
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Who’s Who In Black Charlotte Returns with Eighth Edition, Welcoming President and Vice Chairman of Hornets Sports & Entertainment Fred A. Whitfield Pins as Foreword Writer
A Call for Submissions for local professionals to be included in the latest publication is now open CHARLOTTE, DATE -- Following a hiatus from the market due to the pandemic, Who’s Who In Black Charlotte proudly returns in 2023 for its eighth edition. Focused on celebrating the achievements of Black professionals in the Charlotte metro-area and providing inspiration for future generations. Who’s Who In Black Charlotte is one of 10 publications that recognize and highlight the achievements of African Americans in various cities across the United States. Anchoring the eighth edition, Who’s Who welcomes talented and renowned as he pens the foreword for the upcoming publication. ...
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DANITA V. KNIGHT APPOINTED NEW CEO YWCA GREATER ATLANTA
Celebrating 120 years -- the right leader at the right time ATLANTA, GA -- YWCA of Greater Atlanta today announced that Danita V. Knight has been appointed the new CEO of YWCA of Greater Atlanta, replacing Sharmen Gowens who announced her retirement earlier this year. Ms. Knight will officially assume her role as CEO in January 2023. “After a wide-ranging and thorough national search, led by Boardwalk Consulting (a national firm based in Atlanta), we have found an accomplished and experienced person to lead our organization. Danita is well respected in the Atlanta community and will provide significant thought leadership. She will take YWCA of Greater Atlanta...
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$400 Million Ballmer Investment in Black-Owned Ventures Comes at a Critical Time
Access to capital – whether through banking or investment – is a longstanding challenge for Black entrepreneurs looking to scale their enterprises. But some much-needed capital is entering the marketplace following a $400 million commitment from billionaire investor, L.A. Clippers owner and Detroit native Steve Ballmer. The former Microsoft CEO, who according to net worth Fortune magazine has a net worth of $76.9 billion, announced that he would allocate $400 million to investment firms Goldman Sachs, Fairview Capital, JPMorgan Chase, Ariel Investment and GCM Grosvenor. These firms would, in turn, invest much of that capital with Black entrepreneurs. Hartford, Connecticut-based Fairview Capital, and Chicago’s Ariel Investment rank...
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Growing Black-Owned Whiskey Brand Makes Splash Into Market
By Andre Ash, Michigan Chronicle A Black-owned whiskey business is taking shape and growth across the country. Duke & Dame is the name of the newly minted company where its vision early-on was to change the way people consumed their experience of drinking whiskey. It aimed to succeed in its goal by creating a premium flavored whiskey that would “stimulate the senses at each stage of the drinking process, with incredible aroma, remarkable taste, and an extremely smooth finish.” In an interview with Michigan Chronicle, one of Duke & Dame’s co-founders talked about how out of the company’s early vision birthed its salted caramel flavored whiskey...
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AUNT JACKIE’S curls & coils SURPRISES FIRST HBCU GYMNASTICS TEAM WITH $25,000
Recently, while on the Jennifer Hudson Show, the newly formed FISK University women's gymnastics team was surprised with a $25,000 check from Aunt Jackie's Curls & Coils. The donation will cover the sixteen-member team's travel expenses enabling these talented student athletes to attend national competitions. This team is the first intercollegiate gymnastics team in HBCU (Historically Black Colleges & Universities) history and will compete against colleges across the country. The women, prior to going on the show, were also treated to a full Aunt Jackie's glam makeover and the studio audience all went home with $100 Aunt Jackie's gift cards. "Having the first HBCU gymnastics team means making history," trumpets Coach Corrinne Tarver. "We are paving the...
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IN MEMORIAM: Jazz Saxophonist Pharoah Sanders, 81
Jazz saxophonist Farrell ‘Pharoah’ Sanders, a pioneer of ‘spiritual’ jazz who lived in Oakland for a time before gaining renown in New York with John Coane’s band in the 1960s, passed away in Los Angeles on Sept. 24, 2022. He was 81. “We are devastated to share that Pharoah Sanders has passed away,” family representatives tweeted Saturday morning. “He died peacefully surrounded by loving family and friends in Los Angeles earlier this morning. Always and forever the most beautiful human being, may he rest in peace.” Tributes like this from on YouTube by nbaccess were seen on social media. “Pharoah was like John Coane. So soft and tempered...
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